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| The first major atrocity of ] ocurred on the ] ], when a large bomb exploded in the doorway of a Catholic |
The first major atrocity of ] ocurred on the ] ], when a large bomb exploded in the doorway of a Catholic bar named "McGurk's" on North Queen Street in belfast, collapsing the building and killing fifteen people. In spite of increasing tensions and violence in ], this was the first major attack on civilians by either side, and was the precursor for many simlar atrocities. Following the attack, riots and fighting broke out across Belfast, and over a dozen people were injured, including several soldiers and police. | ||
| Initial police speculation was that ] members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the ] and the ], or that the bombers had stopped off for a drink in the pub, and their bomb had accidentally detonated. This theory meant that the explosion was never properly investigated at the time. | Initial police speculation was that ] members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the ] and the ], or that the bombers had stopped off for a drink in the pub, and their bomb had accidentally detonated. This theory meant that the explosion was never properly investigated at the time. | ||
| In fact, the IRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the ], a ] paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the |
In fact, the IRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the ], a ] paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators. | ||
| Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He recieved fifteen life sentences, but due to the seven year delay in evidence collection, nobody else has ever been arrested in connection with the attack. | |||
| Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the ] area have demanded fresh inquires, many insisting that British security forces knew of the attack, or even participated in it. | Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the ] area have demanded fresh inquires, many insisting that British security forces knew of the attack, or even participated in it. | ||
Revision as of 02:24, 15 April 2006
The first major atrocity of The Troubles ocurred on the 4 December 1971, when a large bomb exploded in the doorway of a Catholic bar named "McGurk's" on North Queen Street in belfast, collapsing the building and killing fifteen people. In spite of increasing tensions and violence in Northern Ireland, this was the first major attack on civilians by either side, and was the precursor for many simlar atrocities. Following the attack, riots and fighting broke out across Belfast, and over a dozen people were injured, including several soldiers and police.
Initial police speculation was that Irish Republican Army members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the OIRA and the PIRA, or that the bombers had stopped off for a drink in the pub, and their bomb had accidentally detonated. This theory meant that the explosion was never properly investigated at the time.
In fact, the IRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, a Protestant paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators.
Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He recieved fifteen life sentences, but due to the seven year delay in evidence collection, nobody else has ever been arrested in connection with the attack.
Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the New Lodge area have demanded fresh inquires, many insisting that British security forces knew of the attack, or even participated in it.
The Dead
The fifteen victims of the McGurk's Bar bombing.
- Francis Bradley, 61
- John Colton, 49
- James Cromie, 13
- Philip Garry, 75
- Kathleen Irvine, 53
- Edward Kane, 29
- Thomas Kane, 49
- Edward Keenan, 69
- Sarah Keenan, 58
- Marie McGurk, 14 (Owner's Daughter)
- Philomena McGurk, 46 (Owner's Wife)
- Thomas McLaughlin, 55
- David Milligan, 52
- James Smyth, 58
- Robert Spotswood, 38
BBC On this day story of the incident
Non-Neutral but informative article from An Phoblacht/Republican News
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